IVF

Although I did not watch the documentary on IVF, the article provided some solid insight on this different process. The pros of IVF is that it gives hopeful parents a chance of bringing one of their own children into the world. It is another way for many couples who cannot conceive. IVF, however, is very costly, sometimes unsuccessful, and is not approved by the Catholic Church. I, personally, don't see anything wrong with IVF. Yes, it is expensive, but doesn't it say something if a couple is willing to spend an extravagant amount of money just to have one child? Besides, it's their money. It's their lives. It's their family. Yes, there might be issues with the Catholic Church or even with the child when he or she questions where she came from but those are all things the parents should be aware of. People have different desires, so for some, adoption may seem like a good option, or surrogacy, or IVF. We don't know what couples who cannot have children go through mentally. It's difficult to empathize unless you have been in the same situation.

The Way

Props to Rebecca Gallo for actually summing up the courage to venture on the journey of the Camino. I honestly don't think I could ever do that. I agree with her when she said that the movie did not show the physical obstacles that most of the pilgrims faced on the Camino. Throughout the movie, I was genuinely surprised that Tom never had any physical or health related setbacks. And I was even more surprised when Tom chased after the young boy who had stolen his pack.

We all have different reasons for the journey we take. And although Sarah, Jack, Tom, and Joost did not all accomplish their initial goals, they all found a sense of peace within themselves. Sarah knew that her journey was not about quitting smoking but rather finding closure from her disgruntled past. Jack overcame his writer's block and probably created an incredible story. Joost came to terms with who he was and learned to be confident with himself. And Tom, I think, got a break from the normalcy of his mundane life.

Sometimes we all need to take a Camino. Maybe not a 480 mile journey across Europe but rather a walk around the neighborhood or on a hiking path. We are all so immersed in being perfect or living up to expectations that we forget to take some time out for ourselves to be alone and to think. But then again, our journey to our final destination is kind of like our Camino. We all have final goals, whether they are career oriented or family oriented or personal goals. And the journey we take to reach our final goals is our Camino. We meet strangers on the way who help us, encourage us, and take care of us. And although strangers at first, they eventually become friends with whom we create lasting memories.

Mixed Messages

Ms. Reimer-Barry brings up some good points in her interview that I have never considered. Although I am not Catholic, I can see the kinds of messages the Church sends to females that could possibly have an affect on them. There isn't a focus on females who are not virgins or who are not mothers.  Women are expected to be like the Virgin Mary, holy and pure, but in reality, not all women can be like that and not all women are going to be like that. The Church sends women a message of their equality with men: that women too are to be respected, revered, and honored. But I feel like the positive messages Reimer-Barry acknowledges are primarily concerned with a woman's sexuality and not on a woman as a person. I think being in an all female, Catholic school empowers us to be fearless and confidence, but also allows us the freedom to think for ourselves and to question the unknown rather than simply accepting it.

Nigeria

I am so done. These "traditional" views are so fifteenth century that girls should not be educated because they will overthrow the government or take over positions. We could do just as good, if not a better, job. And why did it take so long?! Maybe because if the Nigerian president knew this information got out, countries and the UN would go after him to try and help the girls. As president, Goodluck Jonathan should be taking the initiative to help his own people anyway, but I think that the seriousness of the situation doesn't seem to be as valid as it would be if the same situation happened here.

The Boko Haram, right now, have the upper hand given that they have the girls taken hostage. But there is some intrinsic separation among the Nigerian people since they decided not to disclose the names of the Muslim girls who had been kidnapped. Who cares what religion these girls are!? They are missing and need to be found: that's the bottom line. In the end, whether they are Muslim or Christian, they are women of Nigeria.

If, God forbid, the same situation happened at Mount, everyone knows there would be several search parties going on. Parents would not hesitate to contact anyone who knew anything, nor would there be any delay. I'm pretty sure the Mount wouldn't attempt to hide anything, and they would be quick to get word out. I think communication within United States is very quick and efficient, confirming that action would be taken as quickly as possible.

The Changing Face of Marriage

I'll start off saying that my family is not perfect. We've had our fair share of arguments and fights. But the domestic church that we call family has been an integral part of my growing up.  I have watched my parents work together on many things, like planning a vacation, which may not seem like much but can be very strenuous.  My mom has instilled the Christian faith and values that she desires to see reflected in both my brother and me.

The structure of marriage, unfortunately, has taken a turn for the worse. I think that people do not take the commitment of marriage as seriously anymore, although some couples do uphold the values of marriage. In addition, like Gigi, some people have this idea that there is an absolutely perfect person out there. I don't think that there is a perfect person out there, but rather one who accepts and complements every part of you, even the clingy, needy parts of Gigi. The flexibility of relationships now allow for individuals not to be pressured into marriage, like Neil.  Decades ago, Beth and Neil's relationship would have been looked down upon, but presently, this way of living is neither condemned nor condoned.

Love Story

My parents met through a mutual friend, Professor Thomas, who gave each family the other's contact information. The two family's talked and my mom's parents went to my dad's house and talked to him and his parents. My dad and his parents were invited to my mom's house, where my parents first met in person. They talked about what they liked to do and their work. My mom had previous proposals but liked my dad much better. After mulling over the decision for a month of whether or not to marry my mom, my dad agreed to the marriage. My dad's father was not for the marriage because he would not receive as high of dowry but my dad's mother was fine with the marriage because she loved my mom. They were engaged before they started dating. At the engagement, which was held in March of 1990, rings were exchanged and the marriage was officially announced. For the next three months, my parents dated. My dad visited her and they wrote letters to each other. Their first date was at a coffee shop near my mom's hospital. On June 16, 1990, my parents were married at my dad's church.

Over the years, my parents have struggled through a lot, like moving to a new country, completing hectic medical training, and raising two kids. These struggles, though, have enhanced their relationship and helped them to bond really well, promoting a solid foundation for their future together. They don't really show their love outwardly but rather say that their love is understood between the two of them. Of course, they still hug every once in a while. They have grown together with God and my mom has definitely been the one to bring my dad closer to God, since he was not religious early in his life.

Based off my parents' story, all relationships do not need to have started in college to be successful. People do not have to date for six years to figure out they want to get married. Nevertheless, I do not want an arranged marriage. I would rather find someone on my own and try to get to know them for some time. My parents' relationship is not like any others on TV or in movies. It's not the stereotypical arranged marriage where the bride is forced to marry a random stranger she's never seen before but it's definitely not like a high school sweetheart marriage, like The Notebook. My parents' marriage is definitely not something to be compared to Kim Kardashian's "marriage" to Kris Humphries. (Can you even call that a marriage?) My parents have committed themselves to a life long marriage.

I would use Adele's "Make You Feel My Love" to describe my parents' relationship. Adele sings, "The storms are raging on the rolling sea / And on the highway of regret / The wings of change are blowing wild and free." The storms, I would say, are the difficulties that my parents faced in the beginning of their marriage. But in the end, their love grew and was cultivated.

Dating

After reading, both perspectives make valid points but I agree with Freitas and King. Dating is not all about sex and it shouldn't be all about sex. If it is, then it's not dating...it's sex. I don't think high school relationships are absolutely necessary, but of course we all dream about the story of the star athlete and his cheer leading girlfriend or the couple that dates throughout high school and college and eventually gets married. Everything requires a balance. Dating should not consume all your time, nor should schoolwork. It's important to develop relationships (romantic or not romantic) with others. Dating gives individuals an opportunity to learn about themselves and others. It allows them to see which type of people they are compatible with and and which type of people they are not compatible with. Nevertheless, dating should not be just a series of three month relationships. If that's the case, you need to prioritize.

Many high school and college students date, which is fine and normal and probably very necessary. But I really do not like the hook up culture. I find it trashy and definitely not classy. Do you really want to be known as the girl that hooked up with thirteen different guys in one semester? I find it funny that people think hooking up is easier than going out for coffee. Yes, it does take a lot of guts to ask someone out but isn't it better to know their name than to randomly swap saliva with someone you'll probably never see again?

Physical love in dating relationships is also an aspect that makes dating..dating. People enjoy the feeling of being wanted or missed or cuddled. I don't promote premarital sex but I don't degrade forms of affection between couples (although excessive PDA is never appreciated).